Dance Express LLC Dance & Well-Being Studio

Most people shy away from dance fitness classes because they are afraid they have two left feet. Some are intimidated by the idea of dancing in front of others in a room full of mirrors. However, dance fitness classes are one of the most enjoyable way to get your cardio in! Dance fitness classes provide a fun and sweaty workout - even for those who consider themselves uncoordinated! Dance fitness classes are fun for everyone; most classes work at all levels offering modified movements for beginners or those with injuries and ways to add difficulty for the more advanced. For most dance fitness classes, no previous dance experience is necessary. Dance fitness classes utilize different muscle groups and offer a full-body aerobic workout. Often, different routines help to tone and shape different muscle groups. And, typically, dance fitness classes engage the core throughout the entire workout. Dance fitness classes improve coordination and rhythm. Balance improves and fat is burned ...

Tap dance is not only fun to learn and fun to perform, but it also includes a few health benefits! Some benefits include: Cardiovascular conditioning. Strengthening of the legs and feet. Increased flexibility in the hips, knees, and ankles. Improved coordination. Increased cognitive abilities. Tap dancing is a solo dance style meaning you do not need a partner to do it. No uncomfortable partnering situations when you join a tap class. Tap is definitely fun to do in a class with others. The rhythms all in sync is pure magic! Children can start learning tap at age six. However, tap can be learned well into adulthood. Tap dance classes can be customized for any fitness level. Any activity that helps to strengthen our balance and flexibility is good for long-term health. Tap dance definitely helps to improve your balance and your posture. Tap increases flexibility in the hips, knees, and ankles which keeps us moving!

A beginner dance class is great training for dancers of  all  levels. If you’re just starting to dance, then it may be tempting to jump into advanced class. They look super cool and can definitely push you to your limit. But, if you are just starting out it really is best to start from the ground up. Take a beginner dance class! If you are a seasoned dancer, beginner classes are a great way to strengthen the foundation for your movement. A beginner class will allow you to really focus on details of your technique and execution. So how exactly does a beginner dance class help you become a better dancer? 1. There’s less pressure in a beginner dance class Not to say that all advanced classes are competitive, but there is a sense of going big.  In a beginner dance class, the vibe is a little less intense.  The dancer is not trying to kill a piece or impress anyone. Instead a dancer can enjoy the simplicity of the movement and have fun with the other ...

Dance teachers want their students to succeed! Dance teachers work just as hard outside of the studio! Researching, training, choreographing, music editing, performance prepping, office work, and more. Dance teachers love to be thanked. When dancers are tired and a little sore, it means they have been working hard and the dance teacher feels they have done their job well. Not everyone can be a dance teacher, it involves patience and passion. Dance teachers are love when their dancers reach their personal goals! Dance teachers know that the best dancers are the ones who are respectful, work hard, and apply corrections! Teaching dance involves much more than simply teaching steps. What dance teachers want most is to share their passion for the art of dance! Dance teachers consider you part of their dance family for life!

Dancer's need to be properly nourished and hydrated. Like any physical activity, taking a dance class requires high energy levels, concentration, focus, and strength. One way to meet these expectations is to eat foods before the class that will help you meet these requirements. Not eating before a dance class and not being properly hydrated can leave you feeling weak and exhausted. According to research, it is better to eat at least one to two hours before a dance class rather than right before the class begins. Dance class can bring on physical exhaustion, pain, and soreness. Eating certain foods can possibly alleviate some of the soreness and exhaustion. Here are a few suggestions on what you can eat that will give you energy, good nutrition, and help you stay focused. 1. Hummus and Pita Bread/Vegetables Hummus is nutritious and goes well with pita bread and/or vegetables. Hummus is a good source of protein and fiber. Chickpeas are used in hummus and are high in iron, ...

Many studios offer a combination preschool dance class of ballet and tap. We do not. Our Creative Movement Class for preschoolers is ballet based. We incorporate fun, developmentally appropriate ways for little ones to learn basic ballet technique and terminology along with basic rhythmic movements. So, why do we not start teaching tap at the preschool age? Well, we have a few reasons. Tap shoes are specialized dance shoes just like pointe shoes are. Dancers need fundamental skills, specific muscle strength, and specific muscle control to use the shoes appropriately. Tap shoes have to fit the dancers feet. Often, to save money, families purchase tap shoes for their child to "grow into." Tap shoes that do not fit appropriately will not allow the child to learn to execute the steps correctly. Tap dance requires dancers to relax their ankle and foot joints.  It also requires that dancers use only one part of the foot at a time in order to produce clear and concis...

Some dancers live for ballet while others struggle to drag themselves to ballet class. For those that consider themselves hip hop dancers, tap dancers, or jazz dancers, they may try to avoid ballet. So why is ballet important for all dancers? Ballet lays the foundation for most forms of dance. When a dancer has the technique background from ballet, it enhances all other dance forms they undertake. A dancer with a ballet foundation stands out from others.  Ballet demands discipline and dedication. Ballet technique is very specific and requires continual practice to improve. Quite often, the qualities of discipline and dedication translate themselves to other areas of life such as work and school.  Ballet improves posture. Let's face it: everything about ballet requires good posture. Good posture is carried through all other dance forms. Ballet improves balance and flexibility. Ballet technique develops, improves, and maintains balance and flexibility which lessens dim...